Presidents and Their Pens

The Story of White House Speechwriters

James C. Humes - Introduction by Julie Nixon Eisenhower

Presidents and Their Pens: The Story of White House Speechwriters explores 23 presidencies through the detailed analysis of speeches including Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Teddy Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” speech, Eisenhower’s farewell to the nation, and Bill Clinton’s compassionate words in the wake of tragedy. Confidant and wordsmith to five Republican presidents (Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush), professor of language and noted historian James C. Humes tells how and why presidential speeches have marked milestones in our nation’s history, from Washington through Obama. Readers will find out how FDR brought down the house with humor, how “Give ‘em hell” Harry Truman planned his Whistle-Stop Tours, and how Ronald Reagan defied his advisors to make history at the Berlin Wall. Presenting stories of greatness as well as tragically unfulfilled promise, Presidents and Their Pens also features an introduction by author and historian Julie Nixon Eisenhower.« lessmore »

James C. Humes, White House speechwriter for Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, George H.W. Bush, and Reagan, has practiced the art of public speaking as an attorney, lecturer, diplomat, and Pennsylvania State Legislator. The author of 38 books, Humes wrote the Pulitzer-nominated biography Churchill, Speaker of the Century, which won an Athenaeum of Philadelphia Literary Award. Other Humes titles include Churchill, The Prophetic Statesman;Target Churchill (with Warren Adler); Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History's Greatest Speakers; The Reagan Persuasion: Charm, Deliver and Inspire a Winning Message; My Fellow Americans: Presidential Addresses That Shaped History; and Confessions of a White House Ghostwriter: Five Presidents and Other Political Adventures. Currently a Fellow at the University of Colorado, Humes has shared his expertise on American government as guest lecturer at more than 30 universities in Asia and Latin America, on behalf of the U.S. State Department.

The book is at its best when it discusses the speeches and speechwriters of recent presidents, and the chapter on FDR is superb.... Those who seek a brief, generally well-written and easy read on some of America’s canonical presidents ... will find an enjoyable read in Presidents and Their Pens.— U.S. Studies Online

James Humes is a political triple threat: skilled strategist, gifted orator, and wonderful writer. Now, in his thirty-eighth manuscript, he draws on all three talents and explains the arts of both presidential speech writing and delivery. Presidents and Their Pens is a must for anyone involved in the political process and those who wish to comprise an informed citizenry.— Michael Smerconish, SiriusXM radio host, Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, and host of CNN’s Smerconish

A page-turning history of famous ‘pens’ like Alexander Hamilton, John Quincy Adams, and playwright Robert Sherwood, along with less familiar names such as JFK’s Ted Sorensen and Nixon’s wordsmith Ray Price.— John LeBoutillier, pundit and former Republican Congressman

Historian James Humes is part of a special tradition, that rare family of writers who innately know the power of words and how to use them, especially on behalf of those who lead our country. Presidents and Their Pens merits high praise.— Liz Trotta, author and Fox News contributor

In Presidents and Their Pens, James Humes intrigues and enthralls with never-before-told stories of U.S. presidents and their speechwriters.— Warren Adler, author

Presidents and Their Pens

The Story of White House Speechwriters

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Summary

Summary

Presidents and Their Pens: The Story of White House Speechwriters explores 23 presidencies through the detailed analysis of speeches including Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Teddy Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” speech, Eisenhower’s farewell to the nation, and Bill Clinton’s compassionate words in the wake of tragedy. Confidant and wordsmith to five Republican presidents (Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush), professor of language and noted historian James C. Humes tells how and why presidential speeches have marked milestones in our nation’s history, from Washington through Obama. Readers will find out how FDR brought down the house with humor, how “Give ‘em hell” Harry Truman planned his Whistle-Stop Tours, and how Ronald Reagan defied his advisors to make history at the Berlin Wall. Presenting stories of greatness as well as tragically unfulfilled promise, Presidents and Their Pens also features an introduction by author and historian Julie Nixon Eisenhower.

James C. Humes, White House speechwriter for Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, George H.W. Bush, and Reagan, has practiced the art of public speaking as an attorney, lecturer, diplomat, and Pennsylvania State Legislator. The author of 38 books, Humes wrote the Pulitzer-nominated biography Churchill, Speaker of the Century, which won an Athenaeum of Philadelphia Literary Award. Other Humes titles include Churchill, The Prophetic Statesman;Target Churchill (with Warren Adler); Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History's Greatest Speakers; The Reagan Persuasion: Charm, Deliver and Inspire a Winning Message; My Fellow Americans: Presidential Addresses That Shaped History; and Confessions of a White House Ghostwriter: Five Presidents and Other Political Adventures. Currently a Fellow at the University of Colorado, Humes has shared his expertise on American government as guest lecturer at more than 30 universities in Asia and Latin America, on behalf of the U.S. State Department.

The book is at its best when it discusses the speeches and speechwriters of recent presidents, and the chapter on FDR is superb.... Those who seek a brief, generally well-written and easy read on some of America’s canonical presidents ... will find an enjoyable read in Presidents and Their Pens.— U.S. Studies Online

James Humes is a political triple threat: skilled strategist, gifted orator, and wonderful writer. Now, in his thirty-eighth manuscript, he draws on all three talents and explains the arts of both presidential speech writing and delivery. Presidents and Their Pens is a must for anyone involved in the political process and those who wish to comprise an informed citizenry.— Michael Smerconish, SiriusXM radio host, Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, and host of CNN’s Smerconish

A page-turning history of famous ‘pens’ like Alexander Hamilton, John Quincy Adams, and playwright Robert Sherwood, along with less familiar names such as JFK’s Ted Sorensen and Nixon’s wordsmith Ray Price.— John LeBoutillier, pundit and former Republican Congressman

Historian James Humes is part of a special tradition, that rare family of writers who innately know the power of words and how to use them, especially on behalf of those who lead our country. Presidents and Their Pens merits high praise.— Liz Trotta, author and Fox News contributor

In Presidents and Their Pens, James Humes intrigues and enthralls with never-before-told stories of U.S. presidents and their speechwriters.— Warren Adler, author